Beginning with the end in mind: Yes, of course, public image matters, very much!

It matters so much that we should all, as professional practitioners of the science, set it as one of our major priorities. This may go against our scientific grain, but we must, as scientists who deal with hard data, recognize the fact that how we are perceived by ourselves and others is of major importance in such areas as protecting the environment, addressing government intervention, operating safely, and advancing the science.

How the public views geophysics and the oil and gas industry that has historically supported...